Irregularities in supply of ghee in Sabarimala; Setback for P S Prasanth, handwritten note lands him in trouble

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A major setback for former devaswom board president P S Prasanth and former member A Aji Kumar in the case related to the irregularities in the procurement of ghee in Sabarimala. The special investigation team (SIT) of the vigilance has obtained crucial evidence against the two. The SIT has recovered a document handwritten by Prasanth, directing that the existing tenders be cancelled and that ghee be procured directly from Milma. This decision was reportedly taken despite strong opposition from the devaswom commissioner.

‘Permission is given to cancel the existing tender. The board has decided to procure ghee from Milma,’ Prasanth’s handwritten note said. The document also states that the Sabarimala Executive Officer was authorized to determine the quantity of ghee required. The vigilance suspects that this hurried move was part of a major irregularity.

The SIT is investigating the irregularities in the procurement of ghee from Milma for the production of Aravana at Sabarimala during the previous season. The SIT, headed by IPS officer and Vigilance Superintendent M J Sojan, was constituted yesterday following the directions of the high court. The allegation is that a major portion of the ghee was sold on the way, and instead adulterated ghee was supplied. Under the contract, 1.65 lakh litres of ghee were to be procured for producing 20,000 units of Aravana.

The preliminary investigation report submitted by the devaswom chief vigilance officer to the high court said the board suffered a loss of Rs 2.28 crore by purchasing ghee from Milma at a higher price.